The
halogens, of which the element fluorine is the first and most reactive example,
have quietly insinuated themselves into our lives. Like a night nurse, they go about their
business dosing us up without our agreement, muttering as they go, “it’s for
your own good”. Water is chlorinated and
fluoridated, bromides are prescribed, table salt is iodized.
(from Periodic
Tales – A Cultural History of the Elements, from Arsenic to Zinc by Hugh Aldersey-Williams)
9½*/10. The complete review is here.
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